On-line quality control and experimental design analysis for plastic injection moulding : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology in Manufacturing and Industrial Technology at Massey University

This thesis describes automatic quality data acquisition and experimental design methods for product quality improvement. The approach used, focuses on the computer based, process and product quality data acquisition from the shop floor. The collected data was then analysed by the 'design of experiments' method, an advanced statistical quality analysis method, to determine which process parameters influence product quality. Many advanced statistical quality control methods have been developed for maintaining manufacturing product quality. In spite of this development, most manufacturing organisations depend on downstream statistical quality control methods, such as control charts and sampling inspection. These downstream methods, which require more time to collect quality information after the process, cannot always prevent quality problems, or produce prompt quality improvements. A case study is presented which is concerned with the implementation of an on-line data collection system and the 'design of experiments' methods. A plastic injection moulding machine was used for this project, using an instrumented mould designed for process data collection, together with interfaced dimension and weight measurement instruments. The results clearly indicate the process parameters which are important to product quality. By the use of integrated on-line quality data collection systems and 'design of experiments' methods, rapid reaction to process problems, and quality design activities should be able to be easily adopted by manufacturing industries

Collaborative Production Chains: A Case-Study of Two Agri-Food Companies in Brazil

Part 2: Production Management in Food Supply ChainsInternational audienceA collaborative production chain is often understood as having a known degree of relationship among members of the chain to share risks and benefits that result in higher commercial performance than individual organizations. The current study aimed to analyze two production chains of cashew and honey in Northeastern of Brazil which work collaboratively. Characteristics of the chains were learned from interviews with technical personnel from agricultural extension office and farmers. Results indicate that despite the best harvest cashew farmers might have when the crops are pollinated by bees both partners are not fully satisfied with the collaboration. A partner might benefit from management items that help to assess collaboration performance more effectively such as joint efforts, sharing activities, collaboration value, adaptation, trust, commitment, continuous improvement, coordination, and stability. Supply chain collaboration improves the performance advantage and has a significant influence on firm performance; however, such an initiative needs to be understood as a win-win association by the partners to achieve the expected success

Individual- and area-level effects on mortality risk in Germany, both East and West, among male Germans aged 65+

Objectives This study investigates whether mortality inequalities based on individual- and area-level deprivation exist at older ages in Germany, and whether there are differences between eastern and western Germany. Methods Data on population and death counts according to the individual-level socioeconomic status of male German pensioners aged 65+ years in Germany in 2002–2004 were obtained from the German Federal Pension Fund. Area-level characteristics for the 439 German districts were incorporated. Multilevel Poisson models were fitted. Results Individual-level socioeconomic mortality inequalities exist among elderly men in Germany. After controlling for differential population composition in the districts, we found that district-level factors contribute to the explanation of mortality inequalities in (western) Germany. The analysis further indicated that mortality and mortality inequalities tend to be higher in more economically deprived districts, and that minor mortality differences attributable to regional conditions exist in eastern Germany. Conclusions The results showed that regional conditions have moderate effects on health inequalities at older ages in (western) Germany, when the differential population composition in the districts is controlled for